By Gerry Callahan /Boston Heraldhe Red Sox [team stats]’ long and arduous search for a starting pitcher is finished, Erik Bedard is on his way to Fenway Park and now begins an even more daunting task: finding someone who believes Bedard is a good fit in Boston.

It was two minutes before the trade deadline Sunday when Theo Epstein acquired Bedard from Seattle, and it was about two minutes after the deadline that we began to wonder why. Maybe Theo couldn’t coax Matt Young out of retirement. Maybe the Sox decided John Lackey needed another ornery 32-year-old out of the AL West to keep him company. Or maybe they were so desperate for a starter to replace Clay Buchholz that they settled for a square peg and will try to jam him into a round hole.

Bedard is a hard-throwing left-hander with the proverbial good stuff, but when you take a look at the complete package, it’s obvious he belongs in Boston about as much as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie belongs on an Abercrombie & Fitch billboard.

Bedard doesn’t like the media. He doesn’t like crowds. He doesn’t like attention. He doesn’t like day games. Some people wonder if he even likes baseball.

His disdain for the press is legendary. Once Bedard supposedly told the assembled media that he would answer five questions. When a reporter asked if he was serious, Bedard responded, “That’s one.” He allegedly answered four more before walking away.

In attempt to get some answers from the enigmatic pitcher, ESPN The Magazine solicited the help of Bedard’s teammates in Baltimore. Aubrey Huff asked the first question, which was, “Why do you hate the media?”

Bedard’s answer: “I’m not going to answer that one. That just stirs up stuff and leads to more questions.”

Oh, there are lots of questions waiting for Bedard when he gets to Boston. Such as: How come you never pitch after July 31?

Bedard has been on the disabled list 10 times in his career and hasn’t made a start in August or September in four years. In case you haven’t noticed, it’s August, and the Sox need him to pitch in big games down the stretch.

Bedard was in Seattle for 31⁄2 years, and by all accounts enjoyed his time in the laid-back Northwest. Indeed, his propensity to end up on the DL just before the trade deadline has led some to wonder if it was his way to thwart any possible deals to big-market teams.

“To me, that’s a sign he doesn’t want to be traded,” Jim Duquette, who was in the Orioles’ front office when Bedard was in Baltimore, told the Herald.

Bedard did not come down with an injury at the deadline this year, but he did not make it easy for the Mariners to deal him. All the scouts were watching closely when he made his final start Friday night. It was the 157th start of Bedard’s career and probably the worst. He lasted 11⁄3 innings, his shortest outing ever, and gave up four walks and five runs in an 8-0 loss to Tampa Bay. Seattle radio guy Mike Salk said yesterday on WEEI that Bedard’s final outing began with three straight wild pitches to the backstop in the bullpen.

“There’s definitely a belief out here that he tanked it so he wouldn’t have to go anywhere,” Salk said.

If that was Bedard’s plan, it didn’t work, as Epstein acquired him two days later. Bedard will wear No. 23 (and not his usual 45, last worn here by Pedro Martinez) and start Thursday night against the Indians. Salk called Bedard to the Red Sox “the ultimate recipe for disaster.”

Let’s be fair: No one is alleging that Bedard fondled a waitress or crashed his Ferrari into another motorist while going 100 mph, leaving the other driver partially paralyzed. Bedard hasn’t stomped on the face of a defenseless opponent. That’s another new guy in town. That’s Our Albert, and it’s been, like, months since he assaulted a teammate. And doesn’t everyone deserve a second chance, especially guys with lots of talent?

And just like Our Albert, Erik Bedard has talent. Since 2006, he has the best batting-average against (.229) in the American League, and his ERA during that span is 3.41. And in his career, he’s averaging almost a strikeout an inning (8.8 per nine innings). Epstein saw the upside and took a chance.

With Buchholz apparently out for the season, the Sox had to do something. Hiroki Kuroda wouldn’t waive his no-trade, and the price for Ubaldo Jimenez was just too high. The Sox thought they had a deal for Rich Harden but were scared off by his medical reports. They settled for Bedard, and now can hope for an upset. Can a player who doesn’t want to be here, who doesn’t like the big stage or the bright lights, thrive in Boston in a pennant race? Seems like a longshot.

Duquette, now with the MLB Network, said he “even tried to dissuade a couple of big-market clubs” from acquiring Bedard, a shocking admission from a former GM. Apparently, the other clubs took Duquette’s advice and shied away. Not the Sox. They dragged Bedard to Boston against his will, and now they will ask him to pitch them into the playoffs and beyond.

By Gerry Callahan /Boston Herald he Red Sox [ team stats ] ’ long and arduous search for a starting pitcher is finished, Erik Bedard is on his way to Fenway Park and now begins an even more daunting task: finding someone who believes Bedard is a good fit in Boston. It was two minutes before the trade deadline Sunday when Theo Epstein acquired Bedard from Seattle, and it was about two minutes after the deadline that we began to wonder why. Maybe Theo couldn’t coax Matt Young out of retirement. Maybe the Sox decided John Lackey needed another ornery 32-year-old out of the AL West to keep him company. Or maybe they were so desperate for a starter to replace Clay Buchholz that they settled for a square peg and will try to jam him into a round hole. Bedard is a hard-throwing left-hander with the proverbial good stuff, but when you take a look at the complete package, it’s obvious he belongs in Boston about as much as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie belongs on an Abercrombie & Fitch billboard. Bedard doesn’t like the media. He doesn’t like crowds. He doesn’t like attention. He doesn’t like day games. Some people wonder if he even likes baseball. His disdain for the press is legendary. Once Bedard supposedly told the assembled media that he would answer five questions. When a reporter asked if he was serious, Bedard responded, “That’s one.” He allegedly answered four more before walking away. In attempt to get some answers from the enigmatic pitcher, ESPN The Magazine solicited the help of Bedard’s teammates in Baltimore. Aubrey Huff asked the first question, which was, “Why do you hate the media?” Bedard’s answer: “I’m not going to answer that one. That just stirs up stuff and leads to more questions.” Oh, there are lots of questions waiting for Bedard when he gets to Boston. Such as: How come you never pitch after July 31? Bedard has been on the disabled list 10 times in his career and hasn’t made a start in August or September in four years. In case you haven’t noticed, it’s August, and the Sox need him to pitch in big games down the stretch. Bedard was in Seattle for 31⁄2 years, and by all accounts enjoyed his time in the laid-back Northwest. Indeed, his propensity to end up on the DL just before the trade deadline has led some to wonder if it was his way to thwart any possible deals to big-market teams. “To me, that’s a sign he doesn’t want to be traded,” Jim Duquette, who was in the Orioles’ front office when Bedard was in Baltimore, told the Herald. Bedard did not come down with an injury at the deadline this year, but he did not make it easy for the Mariners to deal him. All the scouts were watching closely when he made his final start Friday night. It was the 157th start of Bedard’s career and probably the worst. He lasted 11⁄3 innings, his shortest outing ever, and gave up four walks and five runs in an 8-0 loss to Tampa Bay. Seattle radio guy Mike Salk said yesterday on WEEI that Bedard’s final outing began with three straight wild pitches to the backstop in the bullpen. “There’s definitely a belief out here that he tanked it so he wouldn’t have to go anywhere,” Salk said. If that was Bedard’s plan, it didn’t work, as Epstein acquired him two days later. Bedard will wear No. 23 (and not his usual 45, last worn here by Pedro Martinez ) and start Thursday night against the Indians. Salk called Bedard to the Red Sox “the ultimate recipe for disaster.” Let’s be fair: No one is alleging that Bedard fondled a waitress or crashed his Ferrari into another motorist while going 100 mph, leaving the other driver partially paralyzed. Bedard hasn’t stomped on the face of a defenseless opponent. That’s another new guy in town. That’s Our Albert, and it’s been, like, months since he assaulted a teammate. And doesn’t everyone deserve a second chance, especially guys with lots of talent? And just like Our Albert, Erik Bedard has talent. Since 2006, he has the best batting-average against (.229) in the American League, and his ERA during that span is 3.41. And in his career, he’s averaging almost a strikeout an inning (8.8 per nine innings). Epstein saw the upside and took a chance. With Buchholz apparently out for the season, the Sox had to do something. Hiroki Kuroda wouldn’t waive his no-trade, and the price for Ubaldo Jimenez was just too high. The Sox thought they had a deal for Rich Harden but were scared off by his medical reports. They settled for Bedard, and now can hope for an upset. Can a player who doesn’t want to be here, who doesn’t like the big stage or the bright lights, thrive in Boston in a pennant race? Seems like a longshot. Duquette, now with the MLB Network, said he “even tried to dissuade a couple of big-market clubs” from acquiring Bedard, a shocking admission from a former GM. Apparently, the other clubs took Duquette’s advice and shied away. Not the Sox. They dragged Bedard to Boston against his will, and now they will ask him to pitch them into the playoffs and beyond. That’s asking a lot of a guy who hates answering questions.Posted by Jete02fann

There is no hiding the past issues with Bedards personality. However, there are a lot of very good "motivated guys" in and around our clubhouse that will make him feel comfortable. It's up to Bedard to perform and accept the obvious, hopefully the Boston media and fans will give him his space and allow him to feel more comfortable.

It's only 8 weeks not a lifetime if he chooses to hide in a less stressful location after that.

Some fact, some speculation. Bedard (or any other player) deserves the benefit of the doubt. I for one will wait to see how he does here before passing judgement on him. There is no doubt that he has a well documented history of injuries but that does not mean he cannot do well here. If indeed he fails here, we only will have to deal with him for 2 months. Let's at least give him a chance.

You get traded to a new team in a new town and this is the first thing you read about yourself in the paper, why wouldn't you dislike the media? Callahan, Shaughnessy, Felger, Mazz are all a bunch of negative Nellies, just trying to stir the pot and create controversy, whether warranted or not. They are the reason some players prefer to avoid big markets; not the fans or the team itself.

1) Curt Schilling isn't coming through that door. Say what you will about picking up Bedard, but Theo got the best pitcher available at the time, all things considered. Ya, I wish it were somebody better, but Bedard will probably be better than the guy(s) he's replacing. That's not saying a lot for him, but at least it's an improvement and one that was made without giving up prime prospects.

2) I very frankly don't care if Bedard likes the press or not. A person's disdain for the press doesn't dictate what he brings to the team. If we're going to villify people for not liking the press and giving smarmy answers to stupid questions the first person we should be talking about is Bill Belichick and he's a hero in this town.

You can bet that if Bedard fails to be one whom the Boston press wants to send a Christmas card to that the press will try to crucify him. After all, that's what the press does best - destroy anyone who has the gall to cross them.Let's wait and see what Bedard does and then form our own opinions about his performance based on that performance and not the spin the media puts on him.

RE: His disdain for the press is legendary. Once Bedard supposedly told the assembled media that he would answer five questions. When a reporter asked if he was serious, Bedard responded, “That’s one.” He allegedly answered four more before walking away

Blah blah blah...there's no crying in baseball Callahan. End of the day Bedard was the best availble arm not named Umbaldo...Healthy he's a top of the rotation talant...Check the facts Callahan, if you care to look at the other side of the deal you know the half full side. Bedard has pitched and pitched well in the AL East! This year, before tweaking his knee and spending a couple of weeks on the DL, was among the better #3 guys in the league. Despite his injuries and his checkered past with the media...He still has plus stuff and least we forget he's a pending free agent and if he finishes the year strong and almost as important healthy, the guy will get paid! We don't need him to carry the load, simply pitch well, keep us in games and smile for the camera!

The guy came at a very reasonable aquisition cost and if he want's another multiyear deal it's on him to produce! He has the ability and the incentive to do just that. Maybe you should have waited until after his 2nd or 3rd start to throw him under the bus...nah that doesn't sell newspapers nor get guys to tune into your radio show!

if bedard plays at his career average i could care less that he dislikes a media corp that has already shown their disdain for him.i imagine that red sox fans will show their feelings based on his performance. that is what we do.From Francona:

Francona said he spoke with Bedard a little on Sunday and told him what he should expect with the Red Sox.

"He was terrific and said he was looking forward to it," Francona explained. "We talked about his day to pitch so he can get himself settled. We're looking forward to getting him going. The one thing we have to recognize is that he hasn't pitched a lot in the last month, so we've got to kind of get him ramped up and get the most out of him.

"It's been explained to me that he could wake up at 3 in the morning and spin his breaking ball. He's also done it in the American League East. I've seen what he's done to us, so we're excited."

and,

"If he doesn't have a good first start, the people in uniform and Theo, we're smart enough to know that it may take a couple of starts because he hasn't pitched that much," Francona said.

"The quicker he gets comfortable here I think it's easier, and the best way to get comfortable is to throw well.

"I think our clubhouse is an easy place to come in to. I've been in a lot of clubhouses and ours is pretty easy. The personalities in there, they do a good job. Once you walk in you're one of us. It doesn't take very long."

good enough for me. if francona and the clubhouse embrace this guy i don't care if i never hear a word out of him.

Blah blah blah...there's no crying in baseball Callahan. End of the day Bedard was the best availble arm not named Umbaldo...Healthy he's a top of the rotation talant...Check the facts Callahan, if you care to look at the other side of the deal you know the half full side. Bedard has pitched and pitched well in the AL East! This year, before tweaking his knee and spending a couple of weeks on the DL, was among the better #3 guys in the league. Despite his injuries and his checkered past with the media...He still has plus stuff and least we forget he's a pending free agent and if he finishes the year strong and almost as important healthy, the guy will get paid! We don't need him to carry the load, simply pitch well, keep us in games and smile for the camera! The guy came at a very reasonable aquisition cost and if he want's another multiyear deal it's on him to produce! He has the ability and the incentive to do just that. Maybe you should have waited until after his 2nd or 3rd start to throw him under the bus...nah that doesn't sell newspapers nor get guys to tune into your radio show!Posted by Beantowne

They are the reason some players prefer to avoid big markets; not the fans or the team itself.Posted by jidgef

Seriously, Not the fans?? How many of the current team have been thrown under the bus repeatedly by the Nation? Ellsbury, Tek, Salty, Beckett, Paps, Papi, Drew, Lackey, DiceK immediately come to mind. This town demands success. Heck, the best hitter in the game's history (IMHO) had problems with the fans. Only way Bedard will win the fans is to win games.

In the SHOW, it's all about performance not personality.If he pitches well....thats a good thing. If he tells Heidi to F---Off while she's trying to do a post game interview.....thats not a good thing. If he turns out to be a bag of lit firecrackers , his stay here will be of a short duration.

He doesn't like talking to the media. That's terrible, if you are a sport's writer. He's not being paid to talk to the media. Let's give him a chance and see what he does. He could turn out to be a good addition. Theo had to do something.

As far as the 'evil' press and the fans, I wonder which is the tail and which is the dog. I mean, yes, Callahan et al are ridiculous negative pot-stirrers most of the time. But, you only find gluts of writers like this in places like Boston and New York. Most other places I have been have pleasant, its-baseball-lets-have-fun beat writers. Even in Chicago, you won't find guys like this. Why? I ask myself. Gotta believe it is because that is what the fan base in these places want. Boston fans, always quick to throw players under the bus and witch hunt their own, want these guys to be ripped. I don't know. Perhaps a perverse outcropping of the early ingrained Puritan mentality. Whatever. But, I think we can look at any given thread on any given day on this board and conclude that this kind of negative welcome-to-town-Bedard-you-P.O.S. puff piece is EXACTLY what the 'fans' want.

What a crock. IMO this is what all the talk is about...His disdain for the press is legendary.

Now how Bedard and the RS are prepared to handle the mediots in Boston is a question. But for all Bedard has a disdain for the media, his career from 2007 to today is one of a pitcher that it did not affect between the lines. His ERA is under 4 for those years, his WHIP about 1.200.

The first day of EB's RS life begins on 8/4. We judge going forward from that point on. Same with Aviles the backup infielder. As far as I'm concerned his RS clock started running last night. 1-3, no mistakes, 5yrs. younger, less money and if he can read signs and get a bunt down when called for ......Homerun for Theo on this deal.

I couldn't care less what he thinks of the press. As long as he stays healthy and gives the Sox at least six good innings every night (or day) he goes out there, he can call all of them the magic word that got Crash Davis ejected.

Blah blah blah...there's no crying in baseball Callahan. End of the day Bedard was the best availble arm not named Umbaldo...Healthy he's a top of the rotation talant...Check the facts Callahan, if you care to look at the other side of the deal you know the half full side. Bedard has pitched and pitched well in the AL East! This year, before tweaking his knee and spending a couple of weeks on the DL, was among the better #3 guys in the league. Despite his injuries and his checkered past with the media...He still has plus stuff and least we forget he's a pending free agent and if he finishes the year strong and almost as important healthy, the guy will get paid! We don't need him to carry the load, simply pitch well, keep us in games and smile for the camera! The guy came at a very reasonable aquisition cost and if he want's another multiyear deal it's on him to produce! He has the ability and the incentive to do just that. Maybe you should have waited until after his 2nd or 3rd start to throw him under the bus...nah that doesn't sell newspapers nor get guys to tune into your radio show!Posted by Beantowne

Excellent Post.....these Media guys kill me. They will always say the reason they complain about uncooperative players is because they are the voice of the fans....asking them what the fans would want to know......but 80% of the crap they write about the fans could care less about. They really are writing only to one up and scoop other writers. I know they need to please their editors, so that fine....but don't whine about it, especially about a guy who hasnt even appeared in a Sox uniform yet.

Gerry Callahan is a moron and is one of the very worst radio men in the business. He only appears to be slightly better because he is surrounded by John Dennis and Jon Meterparel, two more as bad as he is. If he could host a radio show (or write, for that matter) half as efficiently as Erik Bedard can pitch, he would have some room to pass judgment. Don't get me wrong, I most certainly do not think that Bedard is the second coming, or is the answer to the Nation's hopes this year. My point is that Callahan does not have the intelligence or cred to pass judgment on someone who has thrown exactly zero pitches in a Red Sox uniform. If I were a professional athlete I would pass on answering any of Callahan's inane questions myself.

RE: His disdain for the press is legendary. Once Bedard supposedly told the assembled media that he would answer five questions. When a reporter asked if he was serious, Bedard responded, “That’s one.” He allegedly answered four more before walking away I love this guy already!!Posted by KRomine